IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


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1.0 


I.I 


■a  12.8 

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£   U£    1 

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Sciences 
Corporalion 


93  wnr«UlNSTIIIIT 

(K*WTII,N.V.  14510 

(71«)a73-4903 


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CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHJVI/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  IWIicroreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notas/Notas  techniquas  at  bibliographiquas 


Tha  inatituta  haa  attamptad  to  obtain  tha  baat 
original  copy  availabia  for  filming.  Faaturaa  of  thia 
copy  which  may  ba  bibliographically  uniqua. 
which  may  altar  any  of  tha  imagaa  in  tha 
raproduction,  or  which  may  aignificantly  changa 
tha  uaual  mathod  of  filming,  ara  chackad  balow. 


D 


D 


D 


D 
D 


□ 


D 


Colourad  covara/ 
Couvartura  da  couiaur 


I      I    Covara  damagad/ 


Couvartura  andommagAa 

Covara  rastorad  and/or  laminatad/ 
Couvartura  raatauria  at/ou  pallicul6a 


I      I   Covar  title  missing/ 


La  titre  de  couverture  manque 


□    Coloured  maps/ 
Cartea  gtographiques  en  couleur 


Coloured  init  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  'i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 


I      I    Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 


Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 

Bound  with  other  material/ 
Reli6  avec  d'autres  documents 

Tight  binding  may  cause  shadowa  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  re  liure  serrde  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  la  long  de  la  marge  intArieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  aJoutAas 
lors  d'une  restauratlon  apparaissent  dans  la  texte, 
mais.  lorsque  cela  Atait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  6t6  film^as. 

Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  suppl6mentalres: 


L'Institut  a  micrciiimi  la  meiileur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  6t4  poaaibia  da  ae  procurer.  Lea  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-Atre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dana  la  mAthoda  normale  de  f ilmage 
aont  indiquto  ci-dassous. 


1 
t 


D 


1 

0 

f 


I      I   Coloured  pages/ 


Pages  de  couleur 

Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommagias 

Pages  reatorad  and/oi 

Pages  restaurtes  et/ou  pellicultea 

Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxei 
Pages  d6colortes,  tachettes  ou  piqutas 


I — I    Pages  damaged/ 

I      I   Pages  reatorad  and/or  laminated/ 

r~l   Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 


t 

s 
o 
f 

s 
o 


□   Pages  detached/ 
Pages  ditachies 

HShowthrough/ 
Tranaparance 


Tranaparance 

Quality  of  prir 

Qualiti  inigala  de  I'impression 

Includes  supplementary  matarii 
Comprend  du  material  supplimentaire 

Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Mition  disponibl« 


I      I    Quality  of  print  varies/ 

I      I   Includes  supplementary  material/ 

I      I    Only  edition  available/ 


T 

SI 

T 

h 

d 
ei 
b( 
ri 
ri 
m 


Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalament  ou  partiallement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata.  une  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  M  filmtes  i  nouveau  de  fa9on  A 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  fiimA  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqu6  ci-dessous. 

10X  14X  18X  22X 


12X 


16X 


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26X 


30X 


24X 


28X 


3 


32X 


Th«  copy  filmsd  h«r«  has  b««n  r«produc«d  thanks 
to  tha  ganarosity  of: 

Library  Divition 

Provincial  Archival  of  British  Columbia 

Tha  imagaa  appaaring  hara  ara  tha  bast  quality 
possibia  considaring  tha  condition  and  lagibility 
off  tha  original  copy  and  in  kaaping  with  tha 
filming  contract  spaciffications. 


Original  copias  in  printad  papar  covars  ara  filmad 
baginning  with  tha  ffront  covar  and  anding  on 
tha  last  paga  with  a  printad  or  illustratad  impras- 
sion,  or  tha  back  covar  whan  appropriata.  All 
othar  original  copias  ara  filmad  baginning  on  tha 
ffirst  paga  with  a  printad  or  illustratad  impras- 
sion.  and  anding  on  tha  last  paga  with  a  printad 
or  illustratad  imprassion. 


Tha  last  racordad  frama  on  aach  microficha 
shall  contain  tha  symbol  ^^  (moaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  tha  symbol  Y  (moaning  "END"). 
whichavar  applias. 

Maps,  platas.  charts,  ate,  may  ba  filmad  at 
diffarant  raduction  ratios.  Thosa  too  larga  to  ba 
antiraly  included  in  ona  axposura  ara  filmad 
baginning  in  tha  uppar  laft  hand  cornar.  laft  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  framas  as 
raquirad.  Tha  following  diagrams  illustrata  the 
method: 


L'exemplaira  ffilmA  fut  raproduit  grica  i  la 
gAnArositA  da: 

Library  Division 

Provincial  Archives  of  British  Columbia 

Las  images  suivantas  ont  4tA  raproduitas  avac  la 
plus  grand  soin,  compta  tenu  de  la  condition  at 
da  la  nattet*  da  l'exemplaira  film*,  at  '  n 
conformitA  avac  las  conditions  du  contrat  da 
filmaga. 

Les  exemplairas  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprimie  sont  ffilmAs  en  commenpant 
par  la  premier  plat  at  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
darnlAre  paga  qui  comporta  una  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration.  soit  par  la  second 
plat,  salon  le  cas.  Tous  las  autras  exemplairas 
originaux  sent  ffilmte  an  commen9ant  pjr  la 
pramlAre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  at  en  terminant  par 
la  darniAre  paga  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaltra  sur  la 
derni*re  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  la  symbola  -^>  signifie  "A  SUIVRE".  le 
symbols  ▼  signifie  "FIN". 

Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc..  peuvent  itra 
film«s  A  des  taux  da  rAduction  diff«rents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  Atra 
raproduit  en  un  seul  clich*.  il  est  filmA  A  partir 
da  I'angle  supArieur  gauche,  de  gauche  A  droite, 
et  de  heut  en  bas,  an  pranant  la  nombre 
d'images  nAcessaire.  Les  diagrammas  suivants 
illustrem  la  mAthode. 


1  2  3 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

"If 


]V 


d- 


^Uectiorv 


SPEECH 


OF 


MR.  REID,  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA, 


ON  THE 


OREGON    QUESTION. 


( 


DELIVERED 


IN    THE   HOUSE   OF  REPRESENTATIVES^ 


FEBRUARY  7,  1846. 


■  •--■     ,^i'7"  .  1- 


WASHINGTON: 

PRIMTED  AT  THE  UNION  OFFICE. 

1846. 


u^mih 


"" *•>■->. u.  .■i,..r.jva,  BosvyyardoitHeSRony  mom. 


|7W>f 


1 

\ 


4      proper, 


i 


1 


SPEECH. 


On  the  resolution  of  notice  to  Great  Britain  to  abrogate  the  convention  of  joint 

occupancy  relative  to  the  Oregon  territory. 


Mr.  REID  obtained  the  floor,  and  addressed  the 
*^  committee  as  follows: 

Mr.  Chairman:  The  importance  of  the  question 
under  consideration  must  plead  my  apology  tor  tres- 
passing on  the  patience  oi  this  House,  while  I  give 
some  of  the  considerations  which  will  influence  the 
vote  I  intend  to  give.  Could  I  cherish  the  vanity 
that  I  could,  at  aay  time,  have  enlightened  this  body 
on  anv  topic  of  legislation  before  it,  such  a  hope 
woula  be  utterly  vain  on  this  occasion,  after  tne 
question  before  the  House  has  undergone  so  full  and 
able  a  discussion. 

The  question  under  consideration  is,  whether  it  is 
proper,  at  this  time,  to  give  the  notice  to  Great  Brit- 
ain that  the  conventions  of  1818  and  1827,  touching 
what  is  generally  termed  the  joint  occupancy  by 
the  two  governments  of  the  Oregon  territory,  should 
terminate  at  the  expiration  of  twelve  months.  I  be- 
lieve that  we  have  a  good  title  to  Oregon.  We  have 
acquired  title  to  it  by  settlement  and  discovery;  and 
if  anything  was  wanted  to  make  it  complete,  that 
was  supplied  by  the  acquisition  of  the  claims  of 
France  and  Spain.  But  I  did  not  rise  to  discuss  the 
title  at  this  time;  that  task  has  already  been  perform- 
ed with  an  ability  which  has  satisfied  the  coun- 
try. I  must  confess  that  I  was  astonished  to 
hear  the  gentleman  from  Kentucky  [Mr.  Davis] 
take  the  ground  that  the  constitution  had  transferred 
the  power  of  giving  such  notice  to  the  President  of 
the  United  States;  and  that  the  executive  had  en- 
deavored to  avoid  that  responsibility  by  throwing  it 
on  the  {legislative  department  of  this  government. 
Surely  the  gentleman  did  not  listen  to  the  able 
speech  of  the  gentleman  from  Ohio,  [Mr.  Thcr- 
MAN.]  What  is  a  treaty?  It  is  the  supreme  law  of 
the  land,  and  can  only  be  abrogated  by  an  act  of 
Congress,  or  by  another  treaty  made  in  conformity 
to  the  constitution.  And  can  the  gentleman  from 
*  Kentucky  desire  that  the  President  shall  take  into 
his  o)vn  hands  the  prerogative  of  abrogating  a  su- 
preme law  of  the  land?  If  the  L  cecutive  Limself 
should  claim  such  a  power,  how  would  the  cry  of 
usurpation  ring  from  ane  end  of  the  country  to  the 
other?  He  would  be  charged  with  an  attempt  to 
violate  the  constitution,  and  seize  upon  despotic 
power.  The  whole  country  would  condemn  such 
a  course,  and  I  fancy  that  even  the  gentleman  from 
Kentucky,  and  his  political  friends,  would  raise  the 
cry  of  usurpation!  usurpation!  If  the  gentleman 
thinks  that  the  notice  is  a  war  measure,  and  equiva- 


lent to  a  declaration  of  war,  as  some  have  insisted, 
then  surely  he  will  not  assert  that  the  President  has 
power  to  give  it  without  the  legislative  action  of 
this  government.  The  gentleman  thought  proper 
to  deprecate  the  idea  of  connecting  this  question 
with  the  party  politics  of  the  day;  out  he  departed 
from  this  course  by  heaping  partisan  abuse  upon 
the  President,  and  charging  on  him  a  design  of  in- 
volving the  country  in  a  war  without  consulting  its 
welfare. 

Does  the  gentleman  believe  that  the  interests  of , 
the  country  required  the  President  to  make  the 
British  government  a  more  liberal  ofier  than  he  did? 
if  not,  then,  how  could  he  charge  the  President  with 
an  attempt  to  plunge  the  country  into  an  unjust  and 
unnecssary  war?  For  myself,'  I  believe  that  offer 
was  too  lioeral;  but  we  have  been  informed  that  it 
was  refused,  and  withdrawn,  and  our  title  asserted 
to  the  whole  of  Oregon.  Some  of  the  gentleman's 
political  friends  say  that  "the  President  cannot  be 
Kicked  into  a  war;"  while  the  gentleman  himself  in- 
sists that  the  President  is  too  anxious  for  war. 
Whether  the  gentleman  has  met  this  question  in  the 
elevated  spirit  of  a  statesman,  I  leave  to  this  Hoi)se 
and  to  the  country  to  judge. 

I  know  not.  sir,  whether  the  giving  of  this  notice 
will  produce  war;  I  am  sure  that  it  will  not  be  a 
just  cause  of  war;  but  I  deny  that  it  is  a  war  measure. 
It  ought  not  to  be  so  considered  here,  for  it  is  not  eo 
regaraed  even  in  Great  Britain.  The  giving  the  notice 
is  provided  for  in  the  convention  of  1827;  it  is  peace- 
able in  its  character,  and  does  not  prevent  negotia- 
tion; but  still  so  fruitful  are  the  imaginations  of 
some  gentlemen  that  they  cannot  speak  of  it  in  any 
other  fight  than  as  a  war  measure.  The  friertds  of 
this  measure  have  not  advocated  it  as  a  war  meas- 
ure; it  has  only  been  so  characterited  by  those  who 
oppose  it. 

In  giving  the  notice,  the  only  legitimate  inquiry 
for  an  American  statesman  is,  whether  this  question 
ought  to  be  settled  as  early  as  practicable,  or  delay- 
ed for  an  indefinite  period  of  time.  The  convic- 
tions of  my  mind  are  decidedly  in  favor  of  the  for- 
mer course.  Let  us  examine  this  point.  For  the 
purpose  of  postponing  the  adjustment  of  )*he  Ore- 
gon dispute,  it  was  agreed  in  the  third  article  of  the 
convention  between  tne  United  States  and  Great 
BriUin,  signed  October  20,  1818,  that— 

"Any  country  that  may  be  claimed  hy  either  party  on  the 
northwest  coast  of  America,  westward  of  the  Stony  moifn- 


1    ,      «  ^    ^ 


\ 


UiM,  (now  called  "'"cky  mountain*,)  ihall,  logether\flth 
it<  harbor),  liaj  t,  ui..  r«eka,  and  the  navigation  of  all  riTvrs 
-within  thu  Karnt ,  be  fi  e  nnd  opun  for  the  T«rm  ol  ten  year* 
from  the  date  of  the  ttignature  of  the  present  convention, 
to  the  venirla,  citi/.uni,  and  aubjects  of  the  two  powers;  it 
being  well  undtrktuod  that  thii  agreemrnt  ii  not  to  becon- 
■trued  to  thtt  piejiidicu  of  any  claim  which  either  of  the  two 
high  contractinj'  partiuK  may  have  to  any  part  of  said  co>in- 
try,  nor  ahnll  it  bu  talien  to  affict  tho  claims  of  any  other 
power  or  Stattt  to  any  part  of  laid  country,  the  only  ob- 
ject of  the  hiKh  cotitructini;  parties,  in  that  respect.  I)eirig 
to  prevent  disputob  uivl  ilitt'crHnces  amuiig  themselves." 

This  convention  remained  in  force  till  it  was  re- 
newed by  tlie  convention  signed  at  London,  Au- 
gust 6,  16^7,  which  provided: 

"Art.  1.  All  tlic  provigions  of  the  third  aiticlo  of  the  con- 
vention concliuU'd  between  tho  United  StuleH  of  America 
and  his  Majrsty  the  King  of  the  United  Kingdom  of  (Ireat 
Britain  and  Irolaml,  on  the  -iOthduyof  Oct.,  1818,  shall  be, 
and  they  are  hereby,  further  indefinitely  extended  and  con- 
tinued in  force,  in  tlie  same  manner  b«  if  all  the  (>rovi«ionB 
«f  the  laid  article  were  herein  ipecilically  recited. 

"Art.  a.  It  khall  be  competent,  howfcver,  for  cither  of  the 
contracting  parties,  in  case  either  thoiild  think  At,  at  any 
time  after  the  dOth  October,  \»)S,  on  giving  due  notice  of 
twelve  monthe  to  the  other  contracting  party,  to  annul  and 
abrogate  this  convention;  and  it  shall,  in  &uch  case,  be  ac- 
corUngly  entirely  annulled  and  abrogated,  after  the  expi- 
ra'ftn  of  the  said  term  of  notice. 

"Art.  3.  Nothing  contained  in  this  convention  or  in  the 
third  article  of  the  convention  of  the  30th  October,  1B18, 
hereby  continued  in  force,  shall  be  construed  to  imnair,  or 
in  any  manner  affect,  the  claims  which  either  of  the  con- 
tracting parti>-s  may  have  to  any  part  of  the  country  west- 
ward of  the  Stony 'or  Rocky  mountains." 

From  1818,  up  to  the  present  time,  repeated  ef- 
forts have  been  made  to  settle  by  negotiation  the 
dispute  between  the  two  countries  in  regard  to  this 
'territory;  but  Great  Britain  has  always  refused  to 
.propose  euch  terms  as  this  country  could  accept, 
without  a  sacrifice  of  her  rights.  In  this  condition 
•  the  question  standa  at  the  present  moment;  and  it 
might  so  remain,  but  for  the  change  of  circumstan- 
ces which  will  in  a  short  time  render  it  both  im- 
practicable and  impo.ssible.  While  the  country 
was  only  used  for  hunting,  fishing,  and  fur-trading, 
there  was  but  little  difliculty  between  the  two  gov- 
ernments in  relation  to  their  conflicting  claims,  and 
it  was  not  indispensably  necessary  to  adjust  them. 
But  things  have  changed.  Within  a  few  years 
thousands  of  our  iniluatrioua  and  enterprising  citi- 
zens have  gone  with  their  families  to  that  country 
to  engage  in  ngrir.nltural,  mechanical,  and  other 
pursuitB  uCcivilizeil  life,  ai\d  they  are  now  cultiva- 
ting the  soil,  and  caniitig  forthemselves  permanent 
l.omes,  and  an  inheritance  for  their  cliiUlren.  Docs 
any  one  suppose  that  v^c  have  arrived  aL  audi  perfec- 
tion in  thcsci  nreofgovcrnnientasto jiiaify  the  hope 
thnl  two  difliiict  racea  of  people,  each  governed  by  a 
diflerent  code  of  laws,  and  owing  alleiriance  to  g ov- 
emments  totally  differing  in  their  character,  can  set- 
tle and  occupy  the  same  territory,  and  maintain 
peaceable  relations  towards  each  other?  Such  a 
nope  is  illusive.  Why  then  should  we  indulge 
further  delay,  when  every  moment  we  live  this  ques- 
tion becomes  more  difficult  to  settle?  When  a  dis- 
pute arises  between  two  neighbors  m  to  the  boun- 
dary of  their  loi^ds,  the  dispute  mav  often  be  easily 
.  adjusted  at  first;  but  if  they  once  drive  their  fence- 
stakes,  cut  their  ditches,  and  build  their  houses  on 
the  disputed  territory,  a  friendly  settlement  of  the 
boundary  becomes  almost  impossible.  So  it  will  be 
in  regard  to  Oregon.  This  territory  is  now  rcgard- 
«d  as  greatly  more  valuable  than  it  was  in  181B; 
and  if  you  wait  ten  years  longer,  its  estimation  will 
no  dot(Dt  be  more  than  quadrupled.  Is  it  not  im- 
portant, then,  that  this  question  should  be  settled 
•8  early  as  practicable?    In  view  of  all  this,  1  ask, 


ia  tt  not  our  dut]|r  to  take  such  measures  as  will  fa-  3 
cilitate  the  decision  of  this  question?    For    one,  I   ', 
believe  the  country  is  ours  to  54*^  40',  but  the   ex-   "< 
tent  of  our  title  is  not  the  Question  now  under  con-   v 
sideration;  and  all  who  believe  that  we  have  rights 
in  Oregon,  no  matter  to   what  extent,  &o  they  be 
greater  than  the   British  government  has  offered  to 
concede,  ought  to  vote  for  this  measure.  * 

e  President  of  the  United  States,  ir.  his  annual 


The 


preeei 


sessior. 


of 


message  at  the  opening  of   tl  e 
Congress,  says; 

"The  jxtraordiiiury  and  whol'j  Ir.adnii«i8il;le  derr.anda  oi 
the  British  govcrnmi  nt,  and  the  rejin  'ion  of  the  propositioi. 
mude  in  deference  nlone  to  what  hud  beer,  done  uy  my  pr«- 
decusfors,  and  the  implied  obligatioK  which  their  act- 
seemed  to  impose,  uffbrd  satisfactory  evidence  that  no  com 
promiru  which  Ihi-  United  States  ought  to  accept  can  be  ef 
ffcted.  With  this  conviction,  the  proposition  of  compro 
mise,  which  had  been  made  and  lejected,  was,  by  my  direc 
tion,  subsequently  withdrawn,  and  our  title  to  the  whole 
Oregon  territory  asserted,  and,  as  's  believed,  maintained  b> 
irrufragable  facts  and  arguments. 

"The  civilized  world  will  see  in  these  proceedings  a  spirit 
of  liberal  concession  on  the  part  of  the  United  States;  ai^ii 
this  government  will  be  relieved  from  all  responsibility 
whicli  may  follow  the  failure  to  settle  the  controversy. 

"All  attempts  ut  compromise  having  failed,  it  becomeif^thr   > 
duty  of  t'ongress  to  consider  what  mausurea  it  may  t>e  prop 
er  to  adopt  for  the    security  and  protection  of  our  citizen.)  ' 
now  inhabitiug,  or  who  may  hereafter  inhabit  Oregon,  and  , 
for  the  maintenance  of  our  just  title  to  that  territory.    In 
adopting  meaiures  for  this  purpose,  care  ithould  be  takci   ' 
that  nothing  be  done  to  violate  the  stipulations  of  the  con  .« 
vention  of  18-27,  which  is  still  in  force.    The  faith  of  treatiea  .. 
in  their  letter  and  spirit,  has  ever  been,  and,  I  trust,  will  evei 
be,  scrupulously  observed  by  the  United  Statea.    Undei 
that  convention,  a  year's  notice  is  required  to  be  given  bt  ^ 
either  party  to  the  other,  before  the  joint  occupancy  shal!  k 
terminate,  and  before  either  can  rightfully  assart  or  exer  ^ 
cise  exclusive  jurisdiction  over  any  portion  of  the  territory 
This  notice  it  would,  in  my  judgment,  be  proper  to  give;anJ  4 
I  recommend  that  provision  be  mado  by  law  for  giving  it  ac  \ 
cordingly,  and  terminating,  in  this  manner,  the  conventioi  t 
of  the  sixth  of  August,  1327."  , 

Now,  sir,  in  the  face  of  these  facts,  can  we  shrinli 
from  giving  the  notice  ?    Some  gentlemen  take  it  foi 
granted  that  this  measure  will  cut  off  all  negotiation  i 
but  they  are  mistaken.     It   only  carries  out  whai| 
public  opinion  has  declared,  and  what  the  true  poll 
cy  of  the  country  requires.     I{  further  negotiatioi . 
shall  be  necessary  or  proper,  then  this  notice  in  ik 
wise  prevents  it;  if  further  negotiation  is  unnecessarj 
or  improper,   it  is  our  imperative  duty  to  give  tli 
notice.     Passin*  tlu.s  mea.iure,  then,   will  not  pre 
vent  our  government    from    doing    anything   th;i 
ouiiihtto  be  done,  while  it  will  untie  our  hands  aii: 
leave  u.s  free  to  pursue  such  measures  as  the  intri 
estsof  the  cnusUiy  dcnuuid.     In  doing  these  thing; 
we  must  observe  our  national  faith,    nnd  violate  v. 
treaty  .Jtipulalion.     At  the   last  session  of  Congre.'-t 
a  l.iill  to  oij;aiii!;e  a  Territorial  government   in  Ort 
gon  passed   tliis    House    by   a  vote   of  140  to  6'  i 
This  bill  contained  a  section  providing  for  the  giv  j 
ing  of  the  notice,  in  the  following  words:  t 

"Skc.  43.    Jlndhe  it  further  enaeltd.  That  the   Prc'sid;';  ' 
of  the  United  Slates  bo,  and  he  is  hereby,  required  to  cans 
due  notice  to  be  given  to  the  British  government  of  the  d< 
sire  and  intention  of  the  government  of  the  IJiiiled  States  i  ^ 
annul  and  abrog.ite  the  convention  with  Great  Britaia  rol 
live  to  territory  on  the  northwest  coast  of  America,  concl' 
ded  August  6,  H27,  agreeably  to  the  provisions  of  the  '■ 
article  Of  that  coLvonlion;   frovidei,  that  nothing  in  th 
act  contained  shall  lo  eo  construed  or  carried  into  effc 
by  any  of  the  officers  or  citizens  of  the  United  States,  as  : 
interfere  in  any  way  with  »ny  right  which  any  of  the  si: 
jects  of  Great  Britaia  may  iiave  in  the  territory  herein  me 
tioued.  as  provided  (or  in  the  convention  aforesaid,  until  II 
expiration  of  twelve  months  rtftcr  notice  shall  be  given, 
above  provided,  bv  the  President  of  the  United  States." 

Sir,  I  voted  for  this  bill  then,  os  did  a  very  lars 
majority  of  the  members  of  the  House,  but  it  I 


\% 


■  'I 


urea  as  will 
?  For  one, 
,  but  the  eX' 
>w  under  con- 
wre  have  rights 
nt,  BO  they  be 
t  iiaa  offered  to 
ure.  ' 

I,  in  his  annual 
ei!t    session  of 


dsillu  Jerr.andj  p(    . 
of  the  propositioi,     , 
r.  ilone  uy  my  pn ■• 
ivhich    their   act 
cncc  that  no  com 
acceptcan  be    ef 
iitioc    of  compro 
wa«,  by  my  direc 
lie    to  the  whole 
ed,  maintained  b) 

rocpedings  &  spirit 
Jnited  Htates)  and 
ull  refiponBibility 
controversy, 
ed,  it  bpcomei^thf'  • 
•es  it  may  be  proji    ■ 
on  of  our  citizen.)  ': 
habit  Oregon,  anil  , 
that  territory.    In 
!  tihould  be  takc-i  ' 
ations  of  the  con  n 
tic  faith  of  treaties  ■. 
1, 1  trust,  will  evei 
ed  Statei.    Undei 
■«d  to  be  given  bv  3 
:  occupancy  shall  i; 
iy  assert  or  excr  ^ 
>n  of  the  territor)'   . 
;)roperto  give;  an.'  ? 
,w  for  giving  it  ac  \ 
er,  the  conventioi  ( 

>,  can  we  shrink 
emen  take  it  foi 
'  all  negotiation  , 
rriea  out  whaij 
at  the  true  poii 
Lher  negotiatiot  i 
his  notice  in  n(| 
n  is  unnecessari, ! 
luty  to  give  th 
,   will  not  pre 
anything   th;i 
our  hands  an 
ires  as  the  iiifn 
ng  these  thing; 

nnd  violate  i;  -. 
ion  of  Congiewl 
rnment  in  Orf  I 
!  of  140  to  5' I 
ling  for  the  giv 
ords: 

hat  the  Presidorjj 
required  to  cauti 
itnmuntof  tfae  d? 
e  United  States  i| 
[iceat  Britain  relit 
f  America,  concIi| 
)vi8ion8  of  the 
It  nothing  iu  tbii 
'  carried  into  effeif 
litcd  States,  as  !^ 
ch  any  of  the  su'j 
ritory  herein  mef 
aforesaid,  until  tq 
'hall  be  given, 
nited  Statca." 

id  a  very  lars 
use,  but  it  di 


r.ot  pass  the  Senate.  Was  it  considered  a  war 
measure  then?  No,  sir;  and  why  should  it  be  con- 
sidered so  now?  Without  a  knowledge  of  the  views 
of  my  constituents,  I  voted  for  the  bill  then,  and 
they  sustained  me;  but  in  giving  the  same  vote 
cow,  I  nit  only  believe  that  I  am  doing  right,  but 
feel  sure  that  I  am  obeying  the  will  or  those  who 
sent  me  here.  I  repudiate  the  idea  that  this  is  a 
war  measure.  It  is  merely  proof  of  our  anxiety  to 
settle  the  question,  and  of  our  determination  to 
raaintain  our  rights  in  that  tenitory,  and  repel  those 
who  trespass  on  them.  But  while  1  repeat  that  this 
in  no  war  measure,  I  would  not  be  understood  as  say- 
ing that  this  country  will  not  take  such  further  steps 
aa  may  be  necessary  to  secure  our  rights  in  Oregon. 
The  territory  is  ours,  and  we  miffit  not  part  with  it. 
Sir,  the  time  has  ceased  with  us  when  we  can  act  in 
that  spirit  of  forbearance  to  Great  Britain  which 
characterized  the  conduct  of  the  patriarch  Abra- 
ham, when  he  said  to  Lot,  "If  thou  wilt  take  the 
left  hand,  then  I  will  go  to  the  right;  or  if  thou  de- 
part to  the  right  hand,  then  I  wiu  go  to  the  left." 
That  might  have  been  possible  once  when  very  lit- 
tle value  was  attached  to  territory.  But  not  so  now 
with  us.  We  need  all  the  territory  we  have,  and 
ought  not  under  any  circumst  inces  to  part  with 
any  portion  that  we  possess.  But  highly  as  we 
pri7e  territory,  we  do  not  propose  to  take  any  that 
does  not  belong  to  us. 

Sir,  I  am  aware  some  gentlemen,  who  do  not  appre- 
ciate the  importance  of  Oregon,  represent  it  as  a  dis- 
tant stri{^of  land  of  but  little  value;  and  they  ask, 
are  we  going  to  fight  for  that'  I  tell  such  gentle- 
men that  Oregon  is  of  vast  importance  to  this  coun- 
try, and  that  its  loss  would  be  deeply  felt  and  sore- 
ly regretted  to  the  latest  moment  of  the  existence  of 
this  great  republic?  Because  Oregon  is  at  a  great  dis 
tance  from  this  Capitol,  shall  we  treat  her  as  the 
Roman  empire  once  treated  the  island  of  Britain — 
clip  her  off,  and  tell  her  to  take  care  of  herself? 
Britain  was  once  a  part  of  the  Roman  empire;  but 
that  government  thought  her  of  so  little  value 
that  Uiey  cast  her  off,  and  told  the  people  if  they 
could  defend  themselves  against  their  enemies, 
good  and  well,  let  them  do  it;  the  Roman  eagle 
would  no  longer  take  llicm  under  its  wings  On 
this  strip  of  country,  thus  severed — which  is 
infinitely  smaller  than  Oregon — is  planted  that 
mighty  government,  whose  invincibility  has  thi*? 
day  been  so  eloquently  described!  It  i."?  the  nation 
inhabiting  this  territory  which  now  struggles  for  the 
conquest  of  the  world,  and  cariics  terror  with  her 
name  to  tlic  most  dis; 'nt  parts  of  the  earth!  This 
teaches  us  ihi  increasing  importance  of  territory,  and 
13  a  warning  to  us  to  guard  against  the  loss  of  any 
part  of  our  country,  or  of  any  portion  of  our  peo- 
ple. It  is  quite  natural  for  us  to  suppose,  that,  under 
any  circumstances,  Oregon  is  destined  to  be  a  part 
of  our  confederacy,  but  it  may  perhaps  turn  out 
otherwise.  I  here  express  the  hope,  and  cherish 
the  belief,  that  she  will  never  be  a  British  colony; 
that  that  country  will  be  a  republic,  inliabited  by 
freemen,  I  believe  almost  certain;  but  whether  she 
is  destined  to  remain  a  part  of  this  confederacy, 
or  to  become  a  separate  and  distinct  republic,  de- 
pends upon  the  policy  pursued  towards  her  by  this 
government.  If  we  now  refuse  her  protection,  may 
she  not  hereafter  scorn  our  proffer  of  reunion  and 
refuse  to  be  received  by  us  as  a  State?  The  case  of 
Texas  was  different.  Texas  was  a  distinct  and  in- 
dependent nation,  and  we  were  under  no  obligations 
to  protect  her  people  or  territory  till  she  became  a 


part  of  this  Union.  But  we  are  under  very  differ- 
ent obligations  to  the  people  of  Oregon,  because  we 
own  the  territory,  and  it  is  settled  by  our  own  citi- 
zens. If  we  leave  her  in  the  moment  of  her  strug- 
gles to  shift  for  herself  by  withdrawing  our  protec- 
tion, will  she  hereafter,  when  she  has  established 
her  right  to  the  soil,  come  and  ask  to  be  again  in- 
corporated into  this  Union.'  I  believe  not.  I  must 
here  remark  that  I  would  be  the  last  man  on  this 
floor,  or  in  this  country,  to  claim  a  single  inch  of 
territory  which  I  did  not  believe  to  be  ours,  but,  on 
the  other  hand,  I  say  with  eqiwl  determination  that 
I  will  never  consent  to  the  surrender  of  an  inch  that 
is  our  own — I  care  not  where  it  lies,  or  what  may 
be  its  value — to  gratify  the  ambition  of  Great  Brit- 
ain or  any  other  government  upon  the  earth.  We 
boast  of  being  u  great  and  glorious  republic;  but 
what  constitutes  a  great  government?  It  is  the  jus- 
tice of  its  laws — the  preservation  of  its  rights — and 
the  protection  of  its  citizens.  I  care  not  how 
wealthy  or  powerful  a  nation  may  be;  as  soon  as 
she  ceases  to  preserve  her  rights  and  to  protect  lier 
citizens  she  ceases  to  be  great  and  is  destined  to 
fall.  If  we  ever  surrender  any  portion  of  our 
territory  to  Great  Britain,  gentlemen  may  rest 
assured  that  it  will  be  but  the  beginning  of 
surrenders  ;  she  will  never  be  satisfied  with  de- 
manding. Peace  is  our  policy.  We  do  not  seek  a 
war  witli  Great  Britain  ;  but  if  she  declares  war 
against  us  for  defending  our  right  to  Oregon,  we 
shall  stand  justified  in  the  eyes  of  the  world,  and 
every  American  heart,  and  every  A  merican  arm  will 
be  found  on  the  side  of  their  country.  Sir,  the 
country  is  in  favor  of  notice,  and  for  maintaining 
our  right  to  the  territory.  Even  in  North  Carolina 
Oregon  is  stronger  than  any  political  party;  and,  as 
an  evidence  of  this,  I  will  refer  to  the  fact  that  my 
whig  colleague  from  Lumber  river  [Mr.  Dockert] 

Cublicly  proclaimed  during  the  canvass,  that,  beforo 
e  would  surrender  any  part  of  OrcMn,  he  would 
march  barefoot  over  prickly  pears  to  fight  for  it.  I 
repeat  that  the  "Old  North  State"  is  for  Oregon. 

Mr.  DocKERv  rose,  and  asked  his  colleague  to 
give  him  leave  to  explain.  His  colleague  [M-^^ 
Reid]  knew  more  of  the  geography  of  his  State 
than  to  speak  of  him  as  his  colleague  from  Lumber 
River  district.  The  remark  to  which  the  gentleman 
alluded  was,  that  he  was  ready  to  contend  for  all 
to  which  we  had  a  valid  title.  1  .said  that  there  were 
in  Oregon  Urilish  rigiits  and  American  rights;  and 
that,  when  the  line  was  run,  I  would  defend  our  soil 
to  the  utmost  extremity;  and  what  he  had  said  about 
marching  over  prickly  peaiw  was  .s.iid  in  that  con- 
nexion. He  iiad  said  tiiat,  when  our  rights  were 
determined,  then  he  would  be  ready  to  figiit  for 
them,  though  he  had  to  march  barefout  over  prickly 
pears. 

Mr.  Reid.  Where  does  my  colleague  think  our 
rights  extend  to  ? 

Mr.  DocKERY.  Just  where  the  gentlemanVi  fa- 
vorite President  settled  it  in  his  negotiations.  A 
laugh.        • 

Mr.  Reid.  Then  the  gentleman  is  with  the  Pres- 
ident, and  the  President  says,  "our  title  to  the  lohole 
of  Oregon  has  been  .\sserted,  and,  as  is  believed, 
maintained  by  irrefragable  facts  and  arguments." 
The  gentleman's  location  arose  from  this  connex- 
ion: him  and  myself  were  members  of  the  legisl.'^- 
ture  at  the  same  time;  he  had  a  favorite  project  for 
the  improvement  of  Lumber  river;  and  from  his  zeal 
in  favor  of  the  measure,  he  became  associated  in  my 
mind  with  the  name  of  the  river,  so  that  I  thought 


with  Oregon  incli|ld«9;  and  ought  we  to  mrrtnifer  t<&^ 
juRt  no  I  feti  in  regard  to  (hef  that  govemnitat  any  portion  of  our  mA\f^  VTo,  "ir^Q, 


Lumkn  rifcr  ovriKinly  muat  ran  through  hiodktfiet. 
lAlHagh.l  ' 

Mr.  IJocRBHT  The  gcntteman  miatakea  the 
rtttiir<  oi  rny  piiitl  iti^m.  He  thhikt  that  a  iTMUi*a 
nii('>'>MMm  mn^^t  >»'  «!onfined  to  hii  o#n  diatriet. 
]V'>w,  I  itrn  Aiiliii'   lit  improve  NOrth  Carolina  in 

ony  "'"■<  "'*  i'l  •"''' 
ITiiiteil  Stales. 

Mr.  iiKiu  if^MDi'  1.  1  nin  happy  to  hear  of  the 
eciulitiiiiiirri  pidi'itriiii,  itnd  I  Nhall  be  atill  more  ao, 
\>.\  y  ii>  II  It  uiMif  <  <  >  111))  votfl,  he  Hhnll  show  that  his 
piitru>iiMin,  wliii'i  h.ii«  nirrndy  rnaclicd  Lumber  riv- 
et,  i  ^  fiMiMil  mjjl  ■')•  ■i!ly  rxpanded  to  extend  tn  Oregon! 
1  hi>|><'  III  ii  wt'  ^  'i  ii'  l<»<i.<  nil  this  ad  a  great  rtutional 

a>\«Mii.Mi.  Mv  tV-t  linj^H  arc  wiih  the  South — my 
eB'itiy  \»  will  I't'-',  out  I  will  suflTDr  no  Incat  or 
wciinn.ii  vicw"  in  i<>l1<i' nee  my  CMirse  on  thia  im- 
portHnl  inurtNiiri'  M  was*  wiili  extreme  reluctance 
that  I  henril  llf  r  r.iiik  in  idn  liy  a  member  on  this 
floor,  that  wluituv  i  iiii>;lit  do  tlie  fme  of  (hia  ques- 
tion, he  Dhonlit  li'W  tlxr  ronsnj  tijon  to  know  that 
Ji6  h^'il  not  fnllowr  i:  III  the  lortrl  itf  the  uentlemaii 
from  Mimcn'tniHii.;.  [Mr.  Adamh  ]  1  relief  thiit  it 
sliould  lie  tli'iir'iii  ru  ccaniiry  to  invoke  i^xiaiina;  prc- 
judicuH  ni^niiiHi  II  I  ii  'ivtiiuul  to  operiiic  iigaiiibt  a 
greiit  nHiioiml  ni!  :>  hru 

Bui,  sir,  ill  nqily  'o  ih«t  remnrk,  I  miijhf,  with 
equal  pi-n|>riety,  ^mv  Unit  we  who  Kupport  the  notice 
willhavethe  <i>i><m)  n<>i)  to  know  tlinl  wo  are  not 
followiii!;  in  the  jc  id  il'  Great  Britain  But  such  a 
•declaration  would  n  it  lie  an  argnmcrit  for  or  against 
the  notice.  It  h;H  i » e»t  s  lid  Ihnl  Hie  member  from 
Ohio  [Mr.  (jIiddivc.- ]  i-<  for  the  iiniite,  and  that  he 
is  aciiittieil  l>y  i>i"'!ve.M  iinworiliy  of  a  statesman. 
But  even  tt^ix  I'li'il  imt  deter  mc  from  giving  my 
"vote  for  a  mviiMi'it;  V  !iich  I  beliive  to  be  rii^ht.  I 
'! ',  berausR  one  of  the  clioaen 
nmi  bntniyod  the  Siivior,  that 
je-i  Chtisiiiuiity  I  follow  in 
I  K"  ft  r  my  country.  We  are 
'i.  Hi't  lest  H  war  fnsue.  lias  it 
j^tivrrnrnfiit  eaii  rarry  out  no 
wiih  liir  domestic  or 
of  ^\•nl•  being  raised 
War  and  ruin  pan 


thia,linMl  boMTfiiiMod  to 


•eonft^i44«^i#MlMtlMi^lUu|  ltol>«:'piM%Md 
at  (ho  tmifMM-  of  tile  bittoittMr  and  the  hdnelrdr  my 
eoiintrf.  Th«  ttorritot^  6ldamd  by  Grekt  B^tain 
on  this  continent,  is  greater  ni  extent  tiiM  oar  own' 


tm  we  al 
tim« 
rery  mi 
lur  polic] 
Hm  in  tl 
jcen     si 


ilom 


we  have  none  to  spare.    It  has  been  with  deep  IBP^'-au  hold 
thai  I  haTe  heard  remarks  on  this  floor  morodhipa^^  "^'° 


want  o| 
:en  sold 
heir  cov 


T  armor 
retire  td 
r  deeds  I 


mi^ht  lu   well   't 
twelve  wti.s  ii  ' 
therefore   I   in.. 
the  lead  ot  no  i.vii. 
told  that  wF  niii.i  •'. 
conic  lo  this  thiit  '>' 
iinportiuii  111.  usiiTi-  cojiitM-.ted 
foreign  poli  y  vv'!l">ijt  the  c-y 
and  lii'ld  up  nn  n  u  r 


ir  >  ver  u  r 
jca  have  ulieniitoly  ,irc;vail'd  «m,  siiic  the  com- 
jnencemi-nl  of  our  g.neri.ineni,  »iid  if  we  wait  for 
thi-ni  tu  ccrtso  bci'iire  wt  act  wr  h!j.i!|  never  do  any- 
tliiiig.  If  wp  ii!trin|!t  to  ]>r'<u!e  indemnity  for 
BpoliationH  ••n.  the  pii'nri-'y  <if  our  citizens  by  a 
foreign  coutii  I  y,  !  he  vsjir  .;iy  i;i  liise:!! — if  we  at- 
tempt lo  annex 'lVv;i;.,  v,    r  iii  nil    \iH  horrors  is  do 


pictt'd  HH  the  cun.<i 


-Uiid  V.  !icn  weatt<  mpt  lo 


mands  in  the  spirit  of  freemen  who  know  their 
rights,  and  dare  maintain  them.  If  the  preservation 
of  our  rights  did  not  require  it,  such  a  course  would 


oging  to  oar  claim  to  Oregon  than  anyihine  that  Thave 
ever  seen  in  the  correspondence  of  the  British  min- 
ister himself.    It  has  always  been  anfortunate  forJS"!{|^  ^' 
this  country  that  in  all  of  her  controversies  withS-^?__I:! 
foreign  governments,  sentiments  have  been  uttered 
hero  which  wpre  calculated  to  mislead  other  coun- 
tries in  relation  to  the  state  of  public  opinion  in^,   rwtriol 
the  United  States,  and  thereby  to  render  the  ■•l^ecUaiujeMl 
of  dispute  the  more  diflicult  to  ftdjust.    Such,  t  'w.Xreencv 
will  be  the  case  in  the  present  controversy.    Sir,  i'S-n-joil 
is  time  we  had  hamed  to  stand  on  our  own  feet.|Ti  .u  n 
Great  Britain  is,  year  after  year,  bytho  force  of  hcr|T'  g^,,,|, 
diplomacy,  and  the  power  of  ner  sword,  bringingn  .  ^jj  •.   , 
nation  after  nation  to  bow  to  power  and  dominioi),^  >erenui,ij 
until  her  possessions  dot  yonr  map  over  a  consider- .  ,«|^,.  j 
ablo  portion  of  the  globe.     With  our  love  of  liber-„  ,j  A.f.j.1 
ty,   we  could  not  withhold  our  sympathy  from,  |),      g^ 
those  whoso  misfortune  it  has  been,  trom  time  to.      '  • 
lime,  to  fall  within  her  grasp;  but  we  have  stood  by.    ^y^^  l  °° 
and  behold  all  these  thmgs  in  silence,  adhering  to,  „y),JQ,. 
the  policy  not  to  interfere  in  foreign  disptatea  in    |g„i|^|ir 
which  our  own  saiety  does  not  require  us  to  take,  ^-^f  .J 
part.    But  when  she  cornea  upon  oVr  own  shores,^   ^y^^  f   • 
and  seeks  to  possess  herself  ofa  part  of  our  terri-.  -^ 
tory,  every  consideration  of  interest  and  of  pitriot-^^ 
ism  requires  that  we  should  resist  her  arrogant  de- 


P 


Th 

greatly 

in  budi 

rn  warf 

improv 


assert  our  cUiini  lo  Oi  po^on,  we  tut!  t'>ld  an  unjust 
and  sanguinary  war  will  be  inuvila!  -K  !  The  horrors 
of  war  have  been  ile-<cribcd  in  i^o  vivid  and  forcible 
a  manner  that  one  ini^ht  almost  iinngine  that  they 
saw  the  Britiwh  ui<  amers  dartin?  from  p  liiit  to  point 
along  our  coast — that  they  heard  the  (hunderins  of 
British  cannon,  and  beheld  our  cities  with  their 
temples  of  justice  and  their  tem^lcN  of  religion 
wrapt  in  flames!  But  in  the  miJst  of  ihis  gloomy 
picture,  the  reflection  rises  in  my  mind,  thai  what- 
ever may  have  been  the  devastating  iffects  of 
past  wars,  it  ia  nevertheless  certain  a  ftortion  of 
mankind  are  so  consiituted  that  they  grieve  much 
about  wars  that  neve'r  happen;  and  su 'h,  I  hope,  is 
the  choracter  of  the  lamentaiions  of  the.  •{entlemen 
■wr  have  heard  on  Ihis  occasion  1  am  for  ficace, 
I  love  peace;  1  npnrcciate  its  cffefta  upon  commerce; 
and,  above  all,  I  admire  its  h.xppy  inflm  n<cs  in  a 
moral  and  political  point  of  vlf.w.     ilui  while  t  say 


then  be  absolutely  necessary  even  to  command  the  i 
respect  of  Great  Britain  herself.    In  all  the  pictures  .{ 
that  have  been  drawn  of  the  horrid  results  of  war,   | 
gentlemen  have  taken  it  for  granted  that  w!e  are  | 
to    bear   all   the   loss   and    make  all   the  sacri-  '; 
flees,    and    that    Great    Britain    has    nothing    to   , 
lose.     But   such  is   not  the  fkct.    Disastrous  as  i 
such  a  conflict  might  prove  to  us,  she  has  more  to  < 
fear  from  it  than  ourselves.    She  cannot  but  foresee  ': 
that  the  prosecution  of  a  war  against  the  ttnited  » 
States  would  lead  to  a  dismemberment  of  nearly  all  \ 
of  her  colonial  possessions,  and,  perhaps,  ultimate-   h 
ly  to  an  entire  dissolution  of  her  form  of  government,  k 
ii-'C  has  her  domestic  feuda  and  her  immense  debt;    \ 
she  has  a  commerce  to   suflTer  as  well  as  ourselves;  i 
and  the  loss  of  our  trade  will  injure  her  more  than    ^ 
the  loss  of  her  trade  can  injure  us.    The  defenceless  ^ 
condition  of  the  United  States  has  been  freqi^ently  I 
alluded  to;  and  the  gentleman  flrom  Alabama  [Mr.  I 
YancevJ  said  that  there   were  perhaps  no  United  1 
States  soldiers  in  his  own    State   at  this  tinfie.    I 
learned  almost  my  first  lesson  on  this  Oregon. ques-    ^ 
tinn  from  that  noble  State.    At  the  last  session  of 
Congress  she  sent  to  this  House  a  resolution,  passed    « 
by  her  legislature,  in  the  following  words : 

Retolved,  That  the  true  policy  of  the  United  States  re-  ^ 

quire*  that  the  Joint  occupancy  of  Oregon  by  the  United  J 

States  and  England  »houI  I  cease ;  and  resolved ,  that  the  title  ^ 

oftheUnitedStates  to  the  territory  of  Oregon  is  clear  and  i 
indisputable. 

This  was  the  language  of  that  gallant  State  one 
year  ago.  But,  sir,  Alabama  has  soldiers — citizen 
aoldiers— the  best  in  the  world.  Let  a  British  sol- 
dier act  his  foot  on  Alabamans  consecrated  soil,  and 


en  we  ahall  tee  wheie  the  ■oldiera  are.    Sir,  *'it 

M  time  to  dieeipline  the  ilaves  of  deepotiam,  but 

try  man  is  a  aoldier  when  he  eombata  tyranny. % 

r  policy  forbid*  the  keeping  of  large  standing  ar- 

lea  in  time   of  peace,   but  we  depend  on  our 

isen     aoldiery,     who     are     the     eafeet     reli- 

Sound     the*  alarm    that     the     inradera 

hand,   and    the   queation    will    not    be 


that  I  would 

Mi'ptlKdlMed', 
hbnolrmmy 
3reac  0^tain 
fiiandar  own 
}  atirrrinder  to 

^ \,  ^!liIll!i'4'«om  can  you  uige  to  meet  them,  but  whom  can 
l.llL«!SifcSSlf*"  hold  back  from  the  conflict?  Tell  me  not  of 
"*"*  '    want  of  aoldiera  to  defend  our  country.    Our 

:en  aoldiera  fight,  not  for  pay,  but  for  the  rights 
heir  country;  and  when  they  have  achieved  the 
ry  their  patriotiam  deaerves,  they  lay  aside 
armor — they  put  oflT  their  martial  character 
retire  to  the  boaom  of  their  familiea,  and  tell 
ir  deeds  to  inapire  the  rising  feneration  with  the 
e  patriotic  ardor.    These,  Mr.  Chairman,  are 
aoldiera,  and  they  will  be  found  equal  to  any 
rgency.     Let  not  Great  Britain  calculate  on 
naiona  among  ouraelvea,  for  when  the  first 
ahall  be  atruck,  whether  it  be  in  the  North  or 
e  South,  all  local  distinctions  will  bo  forgotten, 
ahall  alone  remember  that  we  are  citizens  of  the 
m  republic;  and  the  South  will  be  ready  to  fly  to 
rescue  of  the  North,  and  the  North  will  be 
id  defending  the  institutions  and  the  rights  of  the 
|th.    But  it  has  been    said  that  our  navy  is 
so  large  as  that  of  Great   Britain.    It  ia  true 
she  has  a  large  navy,  and  out-numbers  us  in 
ships:  but  it  »  equally  true  that  our  situation 
[finitely  better  than  it  was  at  the  commence- 
it'of  the  last .  war.    Our  resources  are  greater, 
the  facilities  for  commandins  them  vastly  in- 
The  efliciency  of  the  British  navy  has 
greatly  exaggerated.    She  has  laid  out  mil- 
in  building  fleets  which  the  improvements  in 
rn  warfare  have    rendered  next  to  useless, 
improvements  are  constantly  going  on,  and 


rmorediiipar-' 
inethatThave 
B  Britiah  min- 
nfortunate  for 
reversiea  with' 
D  been  utteredj 
id  other  coun-| 
lie  opinion  in 
der  the  silbject 
Such,  T  fear, 
versy.    Stir,  it 
our  own  feet.^ 
ho  force  of  her^ 
word,  bringing 
and  dominion, 
ver  a  consider-! 
ir  love  of  liber 
empathy  from 
,  from  time  to 
I  have  stood  by 
ce,  adhering  to 
gn  dikpUtea  in 
juire  ua  to  take 
itr  own  shores, 
artofour  terri- 
andofpitriot- 
sr  arrogant  de- 
ho  know  their 
:he  preservation 
1  a  course  would 
command  the 
all  the  pictures 
results  of  war, 
ed  that  W.e  are 
all   the   sacri- 
|BS   nothing    to 
Disastrous  as 
he  has  more  to 
not  but  foresee 
list  the  Vnited 
nt  of  nearly  all 
haps,  ultimate- 
of  government, 
immense  debt; 
I  as  ourselves; 
her  more  than 
he  defenceless 
len  frequently 
Alabama  [Mr. 
pa  no  United 
this  tinlie.    I 
Oregon,  ques- 
laat  sestdon  of 
ilution,.  passed 
rds : 


Inited  States  re 

by  the  .United 

|red.  that  the  tiUfc 

ton  is  clear  and 


have  aleady  reached  a  point  wfiii  i  rmJora  u  large 
portion  or  the  voat  navy  of  (rrrnt  Britain  on 
which  ahe  haa  lavished  buch  nnnii'iiaf  niimR  ut- 
terly unavailable  in  a  war  w.th  the  United  Smiea. 
If  we  need  fleeta  we  can  builil  lit-m;  and  ii  ia  Ix-tter 
for  ua  that  we  have  not  exhansinl  nur  rraourcra  in 
the  conatruction  of  a  large  navy.  ..inrh  would  oomt 
be  unfit  for  service.  Durinsr  i  >i;  I  .«i  witrour  enllnnc 
little  navy  won  for  herself  (milnni'.:  fninc;  nod  I  un- 
dertake to  aay  that  when  the  eoi-  ".;•  ncy  nhall  a^ain 
arise,  she  will  fully  mainiain  (Hu  logh  I'.tianv  icr  lo 
which  her  noble  deeds  ao  juailv  •.ttle  her  In  con- 
clusion, permit  me  to  reomi-k,  )lia'  while  I  rc8|>ect 
the  opinions,  and  do  notnrraign  ilir  motlvpu  ofthoHe 
v'ho  difler  from  me  on  thin  qnesitoti,  on  net  of  mine 
shiXll  ever  sanction  the  surreod'-r  <  f  any  pordon  nf 
our  territory,  without  a  jiiste(|oivt)lfni.  Entertain- 
ing the  opinions  I  do,  if  I  w>n:  'o  n  -t  ntherwisH,  I 
should  feel  that  I  had  not  rait'itiiMy  peif  ir<n.d  the 
high  and  responsible  duty  wliu-.ii  I  owe  to  my  con- 
stituents, ana  to  my  country.  L't  ns  ima *  thu  no- 
tice, and  follow  it  up  by  i;;ivinK  l)ouniieH  of  iHud  to 
such  of  our  citizens  as  may  t;  >  thure  to  brave  the 
hardships  and  privations  of  a  Iroiiier  life.  L'-t  us 
extend  the  laws  and  protection  of  the  United  Stmea 
over  that  territory.  Do  these  (hini;ii,  and  my  wor  1 
for  it,  these  brave  pioneers  wdl  do  much  towards 
protecting  themselves.  We  RMall  then  prove  to  the 
world  that  we  regard  the  (;reiit  principle  that  the 
protection  of  our  laws  shall  extend  to  every  citizen 
of  this  republic,  and  that  we  arc  determined  that  our 
rights  shall  be  respected  all  over  the  earth.  It  ia 
natural  that  there  should  exist  among  a  free  pe  iple, 
some  differences  of  opinion  as  to  the  best  mode  of 
accomplishing  any  end;  but  on  thia  great  question, 
let  us  present  to  England,  to  Europe,  ancl  to  the 
world  an  undivided  front,  and  this  will  (jpsure  ua 
peace,  if  peace  is  attainable. 


lllant  State  one 
Idiera — citizen 
British  sol- 
ated  soil,  and 


